A Study of 1 Peter

Chapter 2: Lesson One

Christians are the People of God

INTRODUCTION.

A.        In the second lesson of this study, we examined 1 Peter 1:13-25.

1.         We showed how Christians are to live as obedient children of God.

2.         We ended the lesson by showing that since Christians have purified their souls (1:22), and have been born again of incorruptible seed (1:23), they should live by God's word which abides forever (1:24-25).

B.        In this lesson, we will begin the first part of our examination of 1 Peter 2. With this lesson, we will show that Christians are the people of God.  

I.         CHRISTIANS ARE THE PEOPLE OF GOD. (vs 10)

            A.        In order to live by God's word, Christians must lay or put aside all malice, guile, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, (vs 1)

                        1.         Malice - ill-will, wickedness, evil

                                    a.         Regarding malice, Christians should be like children. (I Corinthians 14:20)

                                    b.         Christians should strive to put away malice. (Ephesians 4:31,32)

                        2.         Guile - deceit, craft - Consider the example set by Christ. (I Peter 2:22)

                        3.         Hypocrisy - dissimulation, the acting of a stage player. The only way to put off hypocrisy is to strive for the wisdom from above. (James 3:17)

                        4.         Envy - Jealousy

                                    a.         In order to grow properly, Christians must put away envying. (I Corinthians 3:2,3)

                                    b.         Those who envy will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:21)

                                    c.         Envying aids and causes confusion or dissension. (James 3:14-16)

                        5.         Evil Speaking - defamation, slander.

                                    a.         Christians are not to speak evil of one another. (James 4:11)

                                    b.         Along the some lines as speaking evil, Christians should avoid filthy communications. (Colossians 3:8)

            B.        Once Christians put off the aforementioned, they must have the cravings of a new born babe in Christ. Their craving must be for the pure milk of the word. (vs 2)

                        1.         The term "desire" carries with it the idea of longing for or after, pursuing.

                        2.         The pure milk of the word refers to the basic first principle building blocks of the gospel. (Hebrews 5:12,13)

                        3.         When Christians study, partake of, and digest the pure milk of the word, they will grow. If a baby was fed milk as little as some Christians study, then the baby would probably die.

            C.        Christians must realize that only those who truly appreciate the full magnitude of their redemption will crave God's Holy Word. Those who have truly tasted that the Lord is gracious will desire to grow all the more. (vs 3)

            D.        Being the people of God, Christians are to be considered as living stones. As living stones Christians are being built up a spiritual house. Although we, as individuals, are stones of the spiritual house, Christ is the chief cornerstone. (vs 6) This Cornerstone is living; a cornerstone chosen by God and rejected by men.

            E.        Being the people of God, Christians are a holy priesthood. Being priests, Christians are to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God. (vs 5,9; Romans 12:1) This priesthood is holy or royal because Christ is the king and the high priest. (Hebrews 3:1) Christians should give thought to their being the holy priesthood of Jesus Christ.

            F.        Christians are the people of God because they believe and accept Jesus Christ, the chief corner stone. Christians will not be put to shame. (vs 6,7) Those who reject Jesus Christ will encounter a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. (vs 7b,8)

            G.        Since Christians are God's people they are:

                        1.         A chosen generation (race, offspring, family). (vs 9)

                        2.         A royal priesthood. (vs 9)

                        3.         A holy nation. (vs 9)

                        4.         A peculiar people possessed or owned by Christ. (vs 9) Christ paid the price for their freedom from sin. (I Corinthians 7:22-24)

                        5.         Christians are to proclaim the praises of Christ. This stands to reason since it was Christ who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. (vs 9)

                        6.         Christians have obtained mercy. (vs 10) Without this mercy, Christians would have been lost.

CONCLUSION.

A.        What have we learned?

1.         We must put off must all malice, guile, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking and desire the sincere milk of God’s word. (v 1-3)

2.         We must remember that we are living stones, being part of a spiritual house whose chief cornerstone is Jesus Christ. (v 4-6)

3.         Remember: (v 9)

a.         We are a chosen generation.

b.         We are a royal priesthood.

c.         We are a holy nation.

d.         We are God’s own special people.

e.         We are to proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

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1 Peter 2:Lesson 1 -- September 21, 2003 -- File # 718

by John M. Duvall – Lawton, OK